Editorial: Welcome to the 2013 spring election

The Elburn Herald last Thursday ran a preview of its 2013 spring election coverage by taking a look at the Sugar Grove village president race between incumbent Sean Michels and his challenger, 14-year village trustee Kevin Geary.

This week, our election coverage is in full swing, featuring in-depth coverage of local village president, village board, township and fire protection district races, as well as the contested race for the Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees. The races featured in this week’s issue aren’t as hotly contested as the Michels/Geary showdown in Sugar Grove, but there’s plenty to learn about the candidates seeking contested local seats this spring.

For example, you’ll find in these pages an in-depth look at the Village Board race in Sugar Grove, featuring five candidates (three of which are newcomers) in the hunt for three open trustee seats. All candidates offered their views regarding topics such as the video gaming referendum, the idea of re-entering an intergovernmental agreement with the Kaneland School District, and the current state of business and growth in the village.

SG board candidate Gayle Deja-Schultz told the Elburn Herald that, due to the village’s variety of lengthy or overly complicated procedures, many businesses have found Sugar Grove “difficult to work with.” Deja-Schultz said that, if elected, she would passionately investigate these allegations and review all government processes to insure that they are streamlined as effectively as possible to provide businesses with a welcoming environment, yet still facilitating responsible growth within our community.

Elsewhere in this week’s issue is coverage of the Kaneville village president race between incumbent Rick Peck and challenger Patricia Hill. Peck has served as interim village president since the passing of former village president Bob Rodney in July 2012.

Peck told the Elburn Herald that he has begun to personally experience the importance of the leadership role while serving as interim village president.

“I have been a successful leader in my career, and know that I can accomplish the same as village president,” he said. “In the last four years as trustee and president, I have worked to successfully implement solutions to difficult tasks.”

Hill is no stranger to the Kaneville community, either, thanks to the numerous local activities in which she participates or volunteers.

“The job of village president is one that is of leadership, responsibility and for the good of the people in the town. It also involves fiscal responsibility to its citizens,” she said. “I care about the town of Kaneville and its future. I want to keep it small-town America.”

Lest we forget the race taking place in our own backyard, featuring four candidates—two incumbents, two newcomers—competing for three open seats on the Elburn Village Board. All four election entrants—Kenneth Anderson, Jeffrey Walter, Pat Schuberg and Michael Rullman—spoke to the Elburn Herald about their feelings regarding the role of trustee, as well as their thoughts on the Elburn Station development.

“At this time and in these economic times, I believe the Anderson Road bridge project is the most important thing that could happen, and it will provide an immediate benefit to the residents, emergency services and others,” Anderson said.

All of the above is, of course, just a snippet of the Elburn Herald’s 2013 General Election preview this week. We invite you to dig in and learn more about local races on the General Election ballot, as well as the candidates who want to represent the boards, townships and districts nearest you.

Corrections:
In the “Round two for village budget” story on Page 1A of the March 28 edition of the Elburn Herald, Bill Grabarek’s quote stating that he’s never been in a gunfight was incorrectly attributed to Elburn Police Chief Steve Smith.
The Elburn Herald wants its news reports to be fair and accurate. If you know of an error, please contact:
Keith Beebe, Editor
123 N. Main St., Elburn, IL 60119
e-mail: info@elburnherald.com
phone (630) 365-6446